St. Bonaventure University’s School of Business was founded in 1941 and continues to evolve to reflect the latest trends in the business industry. In 2013, the state-of-the-art William E. and Ann L. Swan Business Center opened. The McQuade Center for Accounting Excellence was established in 2011 after the university received a $2 million donation from alumni Gene McQuade. This donation also funds fellowships, scholarships, and programs. The S.o.B. meets the highest level of academic standards, with AACSB accreditation.
Education
Students can earn a dynamic undergraduate degree with a major in Accounting, Finance, Management, or Marketing. All programs emphasize skills imperative in the business world, such as ethical decision making, problem-solving, management, and leadership skills. Courses also integrate experiences with the local and global business environments, to give students practical experience and broaden their perspective.
A Master’s of Business Administration is also offered to propel students forward in their careers. Students can choose to complete this program in the evenings at the main campus in Olean, NY, or pursue the weekend MBA through the Buffalo Center at Hilbert College. Both options allow students to continue their full-time careers. This allows working students to share their professional experiences with their peers, network, and also immediately apply skills they are taught in their classroom to their work endeavors.
Student Life
Students are encouraged to complete an internship and are also presented with many other experiential learning opportunities. The ENACTUS program travels to the Bahamas annually to support schools through teaching global economics and financial literacy to local students, and have previously installed a computer lab. Accounting students help senior citizens and low-income residents of the greater New York community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. BonaResponds is another service organization that was created to assist with the cleanup and restoration process for victims of Hurricane Katrina and has since responded to nearly every major natural disaster throughout the U.S.
Online Programs
The prestigious Master’s of Business Administration is also offered fully online to serve students anywhere in the world. Students can select a concentration in Legal & Ethics, Business Analytics, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, or General Business. This program can be completed in an accelerated format in as few as 12 months, and consists of 30-42 credit hours, depending on the students’ business education. Students wishing to only focus on one course at a time can graduate within 20 months. All classes are just seven weeks long. Students will receive personalized attention with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio and can communicate with their professors in a variety of methods, such as e-mail, video conference, and phone. Students also build strong relationships with their peers through online discussion boards, virtual meetings, and messaging apps.
Graduate students can also strengthen their leadership skills through the online Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership. Students in this program will complete a 360-degree evaluation and receive personal career coaching. Before graduation, students will complete a Leadership Portfolio course, highlighting all professional development activities and projects throughout their degree.